Pesach 2 - Rewards of Challenge

Why do the Jewish people experience an awesome revelation in such a dangerous place - in the Sea of Reeds? Why is this the climax of the Exodus? Why does Israel's angel - Michael - step aside in the face of the challenge of Egypt's angel (uza)? What is the significance of Hashem Himself responding on Israel's behalf? How do we know that Hashem's promise to stand up for the people of Israel still exists in our time? How do we know that all challenges result in spiritual reward - even those of seemingly lesser significance?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:22

Pesach - Ecstatic vs Measured Spirituality

What is the connection between Pesach and Succos? Why do they both occur in the middle of the month? What is the difference between the respective mitzvos of each holiday? Why does Succos involve a lot of movement, while Pesach seems to be more static? Why does Shmini Atzeres come immediately after Succos, while Shavuos is 50 days after Pesach? What is the character of each of these months - Nissan and Tishrei? Why do we have a seder on Pesach, but not on Succos?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 18:50

Metzora - Pride and Humility

What are the seven sins that result in tzara'as - spiritual leprosy? What was the sin of the daughters of Zion? Why did they originally focus on the Jewish young men, and ultimately end up with the 'generals of the enemy?' Why did R' Yanai need the spiritual teaching of the 'peddler' if he was already spiritually advanced? What is the contrast between R' Yanai and the daughters of Zion?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:46

Tazria - Levels of Appreciation

Why does the verse mention the conception of the child, why doesn't it skip straight to the birth, if that is the subject of the verses? What is the idea of the verse in Job which speaks of 'raising the intellect to afar to appreciate the righteousness of our Creator?' When do we 'sing' Hashem's praises, and when do we 'speak of' His praises? What are the two levels of appreciation of Hashem's kindnesses?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 24:08

Shemini - Spiritual Elders

Why are the elders of Israel invited to inaugurate the Tabernacle if they don't seem to play any role there? Why are the elders compared to the wings of a bird? What is the concept of 'elder?' Why does Hashem 'honor the elders?' What does it mean that they 'belong to Hashem?' Why does Hashem sit with them and form them into a semi-circle around Him, as it were? Why does He ultimately create a dance and lead them in this dance, at it were?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 22:49